THE RWENZORI RAINMAKERS SERIES - 3 x EPISODES

This is a heartfelt story about the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda told by a group of passionate characters who are determined to protect and transform their community. It's a positive story about restoration and nature conservation, explored by artists. We feature a community in Kasese district, guided by these artists at a bronze sculpture foundry, who have replanted over 200,000 indigenous trees on degraded land. Animal sculptures help create better awareness. Poachers are sensitised about conservation and all aim to live more sustainably with nature.

The last glaciers on the mountains are melting fast. Water is becoming more scarce. Landslides and flash floods have increased so they need to urgently spread the word to bring back the rain and protect their precious water source. The motivation is a belief that they can save the mountains from deforestation and devastating effects of climate change because change is now happening; theirs is the first, successful community-engaged restoration initiative to see an impressive return in biodiversity and community cohesion is stronger than ever.

We hope our screenings will inspire others to help continue reforestation in these mountains and beyond.

PART ONE: THE RWENZORI RAINMAKERS - The Challenges of Change.

Three project leaders introduce their story and community, establishing three integrated ambitions, to create art, restore environments and to be healthy. As artists, they share the importance of culture and what challenges they must overcome as they reinforce traditional totem beliefs and bring about the change needed to protect returning wildlife. We meet the strong village Chairlady supporting the role of women. The wood poacher tells his story of conflict when trespassing on the land. But the benefits of an expanding new forest and local employment, leads to villagers joining an impressive climb up neighbouring hills to plant much-needed trees, in a determined effort to stop future landslides.

PART TWO: RESTORING THE RAINS

This episode opens with a night-time honey harvest when the wild bees are drowsy, establishing a nature services theme that enables viewers to see the benefits of biodiversity and tree planting. Isaac creates a shoebill sculpture using beeswax. A local King shares his own re-wilding goals. The team clear a patch of invasive plants and Winnie promotes growing pesticide free vegetables. Bark is harvested for cough treatments, and a discovery of herbs with aphrodisiac properties provides amusement. Meanwhile, ongoing drought underscores urgent need for water, by animals and humans alike, but a traditional Rainmaking ceremony high in the mountains, promises rain in three days.
The Founders visit the local school, who inspired, return to show off their own sculptures before the anticipated rains finally arrive.

PART 3: BRINGING BACK BIODIVERSITY

Placing the project in proximity to the Rwenzori National Park, this episode establishes the mountains as a hotspot for biodiversity. Planting trees is vital for water catchment and landslide protection. Displaced by the Kilembe floods, Sanyu tells his story and once more the Nyamwamba river threatens to flood Kasese city. At the Founders nature abounds. Isaac casts his Shoebill sculpture and introduces an enthusiastic school child to some of the wildlife. A poacher alert leads to the discovery of a lethal snare. A mugging in the forest presents new security challenges so the Uganda Wildlife Authority visit to help with community sensitisation. Ultimately, village relations have never been better: the wood poacher reforms, women are given firewood, tree species are recommended for landslide survivors, and nature flourishes post-rains.